"Inexpensnive" (read cheap) things to do in NYC

[qtwns]

Grand Central Station is cool. Ask someone who works there about the "Whispering Wall." We all had a great time with this. Also, a visit to Ground Zero--very moving. And the old (300 years??) church near Ground Zero (the name escapes me...Trinity Church???) is nice. It is pretty and quiet. Just roaming around the cemetary is fascinating. IMO, we like Toys R U better than FAO, although FAO has some outrageous things in there with some good photo ops. Whoever mentioned the subway day pass The subway is so easy and convenient to use and the pass is a huge money saver. When we were in World Of Disney, Chicken Little was upstairs posing for photos--we just kind of happened upon this. And ask the locals where to eat--they were always so helpful and excited to tell us about their favorite places to eat. The food was always fantastic and a lot cheaper than the tourist places. And just soaking up the atmosphere in Times Square is free and was one of our favorite things to do. This Georgia girl loves NY!!

 

[clori]

not sure if this would interest your family but my 6 year old loves the sony wonder technology lab It is free though they recommend making reservations (I have always walked in with no real wait). http://www.sonywondertechlab.com/ The ferry ride to Staten Island is either free or cheap and a good way to see the Statue of Liberty without going to it. Depending on what you are actually planning on doing the www.Newyorkpass.com can bea good deal and includes attractions like Madame Toussouds, Empire STate Building, etc

 

[suzannen]

I always love to take visiters to the Central Children's Room on the 2nd floor of the NY Public Library's Donnell Library at 20 West 53rd Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues). It's where the original Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga are kept behind glass and they also have Mary Poppins' umbrella. And, it's free - http://www.nypl.org/branch/collections/dch.html

 

[Freyja]

Thanks for all the great ideas. Just showed DH this thread and he´s once again amazed at the Dis. I, on the otherhand, knew that you all would be a great source of info

 

[Freyja]

I always love to take visiters to the Central Children's Room on the 2nd floor of the NY Public Library's Donnell Library at 20 West 53rd Street (between 5th & 6th Avenues). It's where the original Winnie-the-Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, Kanga are kept behind glass and they also have Mary Poppins' umbrella. And, it's free - http://www.nypl.org/branch/collections/dch.html

OMG! That´s definately something *I* would like to see

 

[crazyme5kids]

Nothing personal, but as a long time member of the AMNH, I hate, hate, hate this idea. If you're going to check out the museum as a tourist, I would hope that you would provide your fair share to continue to allow the museum to provide some of the most wonderful displays of natural artifacts in America. Nobody's getting rich off of the proceeds and every dollar of the suggested price helps keep our beloved museum great.

This has always been their policy. It was done so for a reason, that reason being so that all people could go to the museum. The OP is trying to see NYC on a budget. It's better for the museum to get a few dollars than none.

OP don't feel guilty. If you can pay more you do so if you want. If not, don't. Enjoy the museum.

 

[eclectics]

Another vote for the museums. NYC has literally hundreds of them (a lot of them are fun and obscure off the beaten path ones) with most at reasonable admissions and some are free. I don't have a link to give you but I'm sure Google will have a detailed list. Enjoy! NYC is like no other city in the world.

 

[crazyme5kids]

Another museum that you might like is the National Museum Of American Indian. I think it's free, but not sure. It's a very good museum, one worth visiting.

 

[LakeAriel]

Grand Central Station is cool. Ask someone who works there about the "Whispering Wall." We all had a great time with this. Also, a visit to Ground Zero--very moving. And the old (300 years??) church near Ground Zero (the name escapes me...Trinity Church???) is nice. It is pretty and quiet. Just roaming around the cemetary is fascinating. IMO, we like Toys R U better than FAO, although FAO has some outrageous things in there with some good photo ops. Whoever mentioned the subway day pass The subway is so easy and convenient to use and the pass is a huge money saver. When we were in World Of Disney, Chicken Little was upstairs posing for photos--we just kind of happened upon this. And ask the locals where to eat--they were always so helpful and excited to tell us about their favorite places to eat. The food was always fantastic and a lot cheaper than the tourist places. And just soaking up the atmosphere in Times Square is free and was one of our favorite things to do. This Georgia girl loves NY!!

Yes Trinity Chirch/St Pauls chapel is a very inspirational trip. A tree (unless you believe in miracles) saved the church from destruction on 9/11 and became a haven for rescue workers and survivors alike.http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Don't forget to get a hotdog at Gray's Papaya http://nymag.com/listings/restaurant/grays-papaya02/index.html, then eat it just down the street at Strawberry Fields (tribute to John Lennon) in Central Park. :

 

[LJRJR]

If you decide to take the Staten Island Ferry, you will also be in the area of Battery Park. Battery Park is an old fort which is next to the ferry termial, it would be interesting for your family to see. Also a few blocks nouth and east of the Staten Island Ferry is South Street Seaport, at the seaport they have some large boats you can look at and maybe even tour, (they are very old wooden sailing vessels). You also get a fantastic view of the famous Brooklyn Bridge from the South Street Pier. Have a great time, there is plenty to do and you can keep your budget low, just plan wisely.

 

[Freyja]

Can´t wait to go. Can´t believe all the amazing tips I´ve recieved. Going downtown to pay my tickets, hope I can still get them. I´m using frequent flyer points for all the kids tickets and they usually have limited seats available on each plane for those.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Here's a bump for you.

 

[Vivianne]

Museum of Natural History

Metropolitan Museum of Art

South Street Seaport - Free Fridays at the Museum

http://www.southstseaport.org/